'One Pound Fish' Pak-origin singer never thought 'song would become so famous'

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Last Updated: Thu, Dec 27, 2012 06:50 hrs

An unusual immigrant from Pakistan, Muhammad Nazir, who became Britain's latest musical sensation after singing a song at an East London fish market that went viral on the Internet, said that he never knew that his song would become so famous and top charts.

He said that his real name is Muhammad Shahid, but people called him 'One Pound Fish Man,' which made him so happy.

Nazir, a father of four who hails from the little-known Punjab town of Pattoki, came to Britain on a student visa a year and a half ago, hoping of a better future for his family.

He landed a job as a fish monger, but said he soon knew he would not be a very competitive salesman.

He didn't like to shout about his wares, as many fish sellers did to attract customers, and therefore though of a new approach to advertising his fish, the Washington Post reports.

"Come on ladies, come on ladies! One pound fish. . . . Very, very good and very, very cheap. One pound fish!" The simple sales ditty goes.

Soon enough, somebody made an amateur video of his jingle and posted it on YouTube.

According to the report, as the views mounted to six million, Nazir joined the likes of Rebecca Black of hyper-annoying "Friday" fame and Psy, the South Korean pop star whose "Gangnam Style" video had millions around the world dancing as if they were riding imaginary horses.

The latest rendition took on added zest in a music video that features sexy dancers in Bollywood-inspired outfits, flying fish and, of course, a splash of Autotune. That version had nearly seven million views as of Monday.

Nazir's song made it into the U.K. Top 40 after just two weeks on the charts.

This year, Nazir's novelty number faced tough competition against stars such as Rihanna and Justin Bieber.

The top tune was announced on Sunday where "One Pound Fish" reached just 29 on the chart, but not bad for a singer who got booted off of television talent show "The X Factor."

This week Nazir returned home to Pattoki with his visa status in question, but in triumph.

He is most certainly Pakistan's first viral video singing sensation. Everyone in the town an hour's drive southwest of Lahore has heard of his fame and fortune, the report added. (ANI)